It was great to see so many parents supporting on a cold, wet and windy (some might say typical) Elsdon day. The game started brightly and it was good having Nick back in the midfield. Finn and Bunsi tackled hard and we began to get some possession. We struggled to really take control and the game was evenly balanced for the first quarter. Rayhan making his first start made several excellent clearances including one diving tackle with his stick at the top of the circle. Too often we tried to pass or run through people and a number of times took the wrong option moving forward. We won three PCs. The first one just ran past Riley's stick on the post and we missed the stick stop on the second. On the third one we used option one of our variations to good effect and Nick combined well with Jamie for Jamie to score. This was pretty near the end of the first half but I felt that we deserved to be ahead at half time.
At half time we spoke about the need to get our wings moving higher and wider, to be harder on the ball and in the tackle and to not give them space up front. Both sides had chances in the second half and some of their stick tackling should have been pulled up much more than it was. They won five or 6 PCs which we successfully defended with Nick in particular making some great tackles at first runner. The defence tackled well but we need to be stronger in claiming the ball and making a good quick pass to keep possession. Our marking also let us down and we were guilty of ball watching and leaving their forwards with too much space in the circle. They had a sustained spell of pressure and should have had one penalty stroke if not two. They scored at the far post to equalise with about ten minutes to go.
We had some promising breaks but lacked penetration and too often we tried to pass or run through them rather than making good runs to help the ball carrier. Ethan made a couple of great runs to get high on the left but overall we did not make many chances and did not win a PC in the second half. Ethan had our best shot which the keeper saved well. Shortly after that they broke through to score what turned out to be the winning goal.
This was a game we could have won and did enough to draw but over the course of the two halves they probably deserved the points. Although we suffered out first loss we were by no means outclassed.
As we predicted they were well organised and had good basic skills but we can certainly beat this team if we play them again. I was impressed by the way that we kept fighting till the end and kept our heads in the face of some provocation! The attitude of the guys who spent more time than usual on the bench today was also exemplary. We are a 14 player squad and it is going to take us all pitching in through the year for us to achieve our potential. We are still very much in contention and I believe that we have the makings of an excellent team. There is no doubt that you have the ability to have success this season and for us all to improve with each game.
Players of the day were Finn for covering miles of ground and leading by example and Raj for some great tackling and passing.
Result: Aotea College 1st XI 2 Wellington College Under 15A 1
Look forward to seeing you at NHS for training on Monday. We will work on our sharpness, our shape and yes ... our basics! Let's learn from today and make sure it is our last loss for a while.
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